Mallard Lake near Fort Totten: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Mallard Lake belongs to Benson County, North Dakota. The bank is 1,486 feet above sea level. Around 92 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. With about 2.1 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. It is a small entry by Benson County standards. Fort Totten at 11 miles is the nearest place to stop. Further out sit Devils Lake (16 miles) and New Rockford (21 miles). No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Mallard Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Benson County records list black bullhead, white bass and northern pike among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Take Mallard Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 69°F, the coldest about 5°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. That is the shape of the year on Mallard Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Square Lake at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Mallard Lake before loading the car.